Carroll Dean Lough

Carroll Dean Lough, 84, ended his long fight with failing kidneys late Friday night, August 9, 2013. In 2001 his kidneys had slowly digressed until finally shutting down as he passed away in his sleep.

He was born on February 24, 1929 in Pansy, WV and was the son of the late Luther Jacob and Oliff Dean Lough.

Raising a family in nearby Riverton, WV became increasingly difficult during the depression years. In the late 30’s the family moved to Dayton, VA with the promise of greater opportunity. Carroll with his brother Kenneth helped their father tear down old buildings for the salvageable materials. With this they began building small homes and additions as the business of L. J. Lough & Sons was formed. This later became Lough Bros. Inc. which they operated until their retirement. During the ‘60’s and the ‘70’s they built some of the area’s most prominent homes of that time.

On August 22, 1949, he married Helen Virginia Ritchie of Dayton, who survives.

After retirement Carroll, a master carpenter and brick and stone mason, enjoyed keeping busy doing small remodeling jobs and in his spare time working in his shop designing and creating items from furniture, to holiday decorations, to wood carvings of which he was most proud. He and Helen also enjoyed going out to dinner with friends and neighbors and traveling on weekend sightseeing trips. They also frequently visited their daughter in New York.

In addition to his wife Helen of 64 years he is survived by two children, Steve Lough of Harrisonburg, VA; and Kim Merle and husband, Scott, of Clay, NY; grandchildren, Kelly O’Brien and husband, Kyle, of Harrisonburg, VA, Aaron Lough and wife, Denise, of Harrisonburg, VA, Lane Lough of Norfolk, VA, and Justin and Ryan Merle of Clay, NY; two great-grandchildren, Patrick and Andrew O’Brien of Harrisonburg, VA; and one sister, Bonnie A. Lough of Harrisonburg, VA.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Denver Curtis Lough of Riverton, WV, and Kenneth Roscoe Lough of Harrisonburg, VA.

Special recognition goes out to care givers Rhonda Fisher, Debbie Price and especially Cathy Thompson who was with him until the end and made his final days more comfortable. Also thanks to the assistance from neighbors, Elaine and Michelle Estep.

There will be a funeral service at the Chapel of Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA, on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at 10:00 am, with Rev. Steve McMillion officiating, with burial immediately following as a private family ceremony at Dayton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 6-8:00 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the funeral home.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to DaVita Dialysis Center, 871 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.